NORTH ISLAND CLAIMS

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 187, 4 July 1919, Page 2

NORTH ISLAND CLAIMS

MOVE FOR JJNITED ACTION

Unity of action in respect to public works, especially railways, is likely to eventuate on the part of the Hateke's Bay, Taranaki, and Auckland districts, as a result or a tour with that object in view recently undertaken by Mr P. fc. Cheal, chairman of the Auckland ■" Railways League. During his trip he addressed several meetings, stressing the urgency of the point named and the necessity for strong organisation, besides advocating the taking of steps to ensure the North Island obtaining its fair snare or loan allocations. . Discussing tho matter with the Auckland Herald, Mr Cheal said that at Gisborne he found there existed a considerable amount of distrust and suspicion as to Auckland's claims. He had pointed out, however, that the Auckland League was in favor not only of an Auekland-Gisborne line, but of an unbroken line from "Wellington to the North Cape, connecting up Napier and Gisborne, and opening up all the East Coast lands for settlement. At Napier the people had the same feeling that Auckland wa3 looking after its own interests entirely. Mr Cheal pointed out that the Auckland League was a provincial one, and that it had avoided taking up Napier's railway interests lest it might-be interpreted as interference. Both in Napier and in Gisborne he was able to remove the impression referred to,-and he left each district prepared to take concerted action with Taranaki and Auckland towards obtaining sufficient Joan money to link up the three Mam Trunk lines Napier to Auckland. Taranaki to Auckland, and Auckland to the North Cape. ,- T ™nc CONTROVERSY .AS TO ROUTES.By the people of Motu. in the Gisbonie district, the Auckland League was taxed with having endeavored to stop the continuance of a branch line there. Mr Cheal said that his explanation was so satisfactory, .however, that it was decided -to form a railways league at Motu and affiliate with the Auckland organisation. At Te Karaka, in the same district, the chairman of the meeting which Mr Oheal addressed, Mr Tulloch undertook to try and get all the local "bodies linked up with the Auckland JLeague to secure united, action.

There was a difference of opinion in the Gisborne district as to the route the railway should follow from the presnt railhead at Motuhora coming from Gisborne northwards. Some thought the line should pass through the TJrewera country, and so on to the Whakatane Valley, striking the.main trunk somewhere near Taneatau. This would leave Opotiki out! Mr Cheal remarked that at the latter place the people seemed to be very lukewarm regarding railway connection with Auckland, though the Chamber of Commerce was anxious to see it pushed on. The other route favored was down the Motu River easterly for a few miles, and then round towards Opotiki. There was also a good deal of controversy .as to which direction the line should take from isborne to Napier. At present it was formed as far as Ngatapa, from which point the route did not seem to have been settled. At Stratford and New Plymouth there was the same response as to united action.